December Donation Guide, pt. 2

Grace Clark

The holidays have snuck up on us once again! In the rush of gift buying and guestroom prepping it’s easy to fall behind on our favorite holiday traditions, including giving back. Luckily, our December Donation Guides are the perfect place to support a cause you believe in- like a gift catalogue, but for environmental activism!

Marine Science and Education

Seaside is involved in a wide variety of marine science and education efforts, including:

• Coastal Cleanups- From dangerous abandoned fishing gear to plain old junk, community cleanups and T.R.A.S.H. (Tackling Rubbish Across Seas & Habitats) programming hosted by Seaside have helped clear our coastline so it can be enjoyed by both wildlife and humans alike! We also provide information on nurdle patrol, an effort to collect data concerning the quantity of plastic pellets on our beaches. As heads of Keep Cape Ann Beautiful, a local chapter of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, we strive to put our money where our mouth is- and build community along the way!

  
  

• Marine Debris Trawling- While the hard work of volunteers is perfect for keeping our coastlines clean, things get more complicated once trash is washed out to sea or broken into microplastics. That’s why Seaside’s in-person trawling team works hard to remove these materials using outrigged nets, removing plastics from the water and providing them to the University of New Hampshire for further study.

  
  

• Clean & Green Boater’s Guide- We believe that environmental education is a lifelong pursuit, which is why when boat ownership doubled over only a handful of years, we put together our Clean & Green Boater’s Guide. This extensively researched guide provides information on coastal and marine ecosystems, plastics management, sustainable boat maintenance, and more.

  
  

• And More- It’s impossible to list our always-growing educational and scientific efforts. Whether it’s providing students with in-person and online internships, producing educational material on plastics and invasive species, or providing access to reef-safe sunscreen and shrink-wrap recycling, we will do anything and everything to strengthen our minds and our planet.

To support marine science and education, click here.

Sustainability Consulting

We work with administrators and students to provide guidance on sustainable practice and environmental programming. Our stewardship is inspired by the US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Award but is designed to meet the needs, interests, and existing resources of each individual school! The program also incorporates several global sustainable development goals including quality education, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

Our counseling covers a variety of areas including food and nutrition, curriculum and student learning, buildings and grounds, busing and transportation, waste reduction and diversion, energy management, and water conservation and management. Through a procedure of evaluation, reporting, and implementation, we see educators through each step of the process. Our experiential method is designed to promote school-wide well being, both through a healthier environment and a greater sense of hope for the future. This process also promotes financial efficiency, freeing school funds to be used where their needed most. Overall, our consulting is aimed to help make sustainable education as comprehensive and impactful as possible. 

To support sustainability consulting, click here.

Climate Action and Advocacy

Seaside Sustainability aims to promote environmental justice through two avenues: action and advocacy. Through education and legislative action, we aim to advocate for the environment wherever it needs a voice, whether that’s on the local or national level. We also strive to do as much as we say, which is why our hands-on, solution-based climate action is at the forefront of what we do.

• Nature Based Solutions- Using natural processes to combat climate change and promote sustainable development is one of the best long-term strategies for climate action. We are involved in promoting four solutions across New England:

  
  

  • Restoring aquatic environments through water quality maintenance and promoting sustainable fishing. As the proud spearheads of the Chebacco Lake Coalition we and our collaborators are working to restore Chebacco Lake, a 209-acre body of water that is beloved both as a beautiful habitat and a crucial water source. By addressing the lake’s clogged channels, low water, siltation and more, we hope to improve this area for ourselves and preserve it for posterity.

    
    

  • Using sustainable farming techniques to reduce environmental harm while maintaining food and economic security.

    
    

  • Building green infrastructure and creating green areas to promote health and air quality in urban areas.

    
    

  • Managing forestry using sustainable techniques and protective measures.

    
    

• Climate Mitigation- Climate mitigation refers to efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emission. We’ve aimed to investigate and report on policies regarding electric vehicles, sustainable actions in the chamber of commerce, and even condo decarbonization. To read our past reports, click here.

To support Seaside’s climate action and advocacy, click here.

Conclusion

Most importantly, Seaside Sustainability believes in activism that is adaptable, timely and intentioned. While keeping the UN Sustainable Development Goals at our center, our outreach is ever expanding and evolving.

If you want to be involved in the future of sustainable action, there has never been a better time to donate!